Prunus Laurocerasus Otto Luyken

Prunus Laurocerasus Otto Luyken or Cherry Laurel Otto Luyken is an evergreen shrub that is one of our hedging best sellers. Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its desirable qualities, this low-growing laurel will provide year-round interest in a compact size suitable for both large and small gardens! Otto Luyken is a spreading low growing variety of Laurel that won’t exceed 1 metre in height.
Even though its often called English Laurel, Prunus Laurocerasus is actually native to the eastern end of the Mediterranean, but has been grown in the UK since 1576. Cherry Laurel Otto Luyken was introduced in Germany in 1968. The narrow, glossy green leaves of Prunus Laurocerasus Otto Luyken remain year-round. In April, the shrub is covered with spikes of fragrant white flowers, with sometimes a second round of blooms in the autumn. The flowers are followed by in autumn by red berries which mature to a glossy black, remaining on the plant through the winter and attracting birds to your garden. 
Hardy throughout most of the UK, even in severe winters, Cherry Laurel Otto Luyken will grow up to 15 cm a year to reach a full height of .5-1 metres and spread of 1-1.5 metres in a period of 5 to 10 years. For a low hedge or mass planting, space plants 45 cm apart. Prunus Laurocerasus Otto Luyken should be lightly pruned after flowering in late spring to remove dead or damaged stems and to retain the desired shape and size. It is best to cut out individual stems rather than giving the plant an overall shearing. It is also possible to prune Cherry Laurel Otto Luyken back severely when necessary.
Prunus Laurocerasus Otto Luyken will grow well in almost any conditions. Plant it in full sun or part shade in any well-drained soil. It will do best with a steady supply of moisture. Resistant to salt, it is suited to coastal plantings. 
The low height of Prunus Laurocerasus Otto Luyken makes it an ideal choice for creating divisions in your garden without a massive height which restricts visibility and casts too much shade. One plant can make an attractive specimen in the corner of a courtyard garden, where year-round visual interest is especially important. At the back of a mixed border, one Cherry Laurel Otto Luyken will provide both beautiful flowers in spring as well as a reliable evergreen background for other flowering plants.
Prunus Laurocerasus Otto Luyken is deservedly popular for its reliable evergreen foliage, lovely spring flowers, and compact growth habit, making it a versatile choice for gardeners all over the UK!